Thermoplastic injection molded and flushable material

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11124641-B2
Application number	US-201716344695-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 17, 2017
Priority date	Nov 30, 2016
Publication date	Sep 21, 2021
Grant date	Sep 21, 2021

Abstract

A water-dispersible injection-moldable composition includes partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein the composition has a melt flow index of 5-180. The hydrophobic polymeric component can be a colorant within an ethylene matrix or polyethylene. The composition is flushable according to Guidance Document for Assessing the Flushability of Nonwoven Consumer Products (INDA and EDANA, 2006); Test FG 522.2 Tier 2—Slosh Box Disintegration Test. The PVOH has a hydrolysis of 87% to 89%.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A water-dispersible injection-moldable composition comprising:
partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH);
polyethylene glycol (PEG);
plasticizer; and
a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein the composition has a melt flow index of 5-180.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic polymeric component is a colorant within an ethylene matrix.

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic polymeric component is polyethylene.

4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition has a melt flow index of 60-90.

5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition includes 55 wt. % to 75 wt. % partially-hydrolyzed PVOH.

6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition includes 15 wt. % to 25 wt. % PEG.

7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition includes 9 wt. % to 14 wt. % plasticizer.

8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the plasticizer is glycerin.

9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the PVOH has a viscosity range of 3.0-3.7 cps.

10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the PVOH has a hydrolysis of 87% to 89%.

11. A water-dispersible injection-moldable composition comprising:
55 wt. % to 75 wt. % partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH);
15 wt. % to 25 wt. % polyethylene glycol (PEG);
9 wt. % to 14 wt. % glycerin; and
0.5 wt. % to 4 wt. % polyethylene.

12. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the PVOH has a hydrolysis of 87% to 89%.

Assignees

• Kimberly Clark Co

Inventors

• Demarco Alphonse
• Wideman Gregory J
• Lortscher Peter S
• Pickett Austin N
• Mleziva Mark M
• Woltman Garry R
• Shlepr Michael G

Classifications

• C08K5/0016

  Plasticisers · CPC title

• C08J3/226

  using a polymer as a carrier · CPC title

• A61F13/26 Primary

  Means for inserting tampons {, i.e. applicators} · CPC title

• A61F13/15211

  soluble or disintegratable in liquid · CPC title

• C08L71/02

  Polyalkylene oxides · CPC title